ASPIRING rugby players at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate near York were treated to a motivational session with a trio of former players.

Henry Paul, QE’s rugby programmes manager, his brother Robbie Hunter-Paul, the chief executive of rugby league side Bradford Bulls and Bulls’ managing director Steve Ferres took part in the talk to students on the Collegiate’s Elite Pathway course.

The Elite Pathway programme is designed to attract some of rugby’s best young players to the school at Thorpe Underwood.

It combines pre-season training and testing, specialist coaching, access to the best pitches and facilities as well as regular talks by top players and coaches.

“I mentioned to my brother, Robbie, that we would love him to come along and talk to our young lads about sports performance, leadership skills and staying motivated in the sport,” said Henry Paul.

“Not only did he agree but he bought the managing director of his club with him.

“It has been a great start to our series of guests and it is really vital that our students get an insight, through first hand experience, into the demands that playing at the top level of a sport brings.”

Henry Paul was a rugby league and rugby union international, representing his home country of New Zealand in league and England in union in the 15-a-side game and sevens.

His club career took in stints with Wakefield, Wigan, Bradford, Leeds and Rotherham.

Robbie Hunter-Paul is a former New Zealand rugby league player who became CEO of Bradford Bulls after retiring as a player in 2011. He played for the Kiwi national team 27 times and at club level his teams included Bradford, Huddersfield, Salford and Leigh.

Ferres is the current managing director of Bradford Bulls, having been boss at York City Knights, Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Hunslet.